Milford girl barred from class over Ebola fears allowed to return to school

School officials kept third-grader away over Ebola fears

Published
8:48 pm EDT, Thursday, October 30, 2014

Photo: Journal Register Co.

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Stephen Opayemi

Stephen Opayemi

Photo: Journal Register Co.

Milford girl barred from class over Ebola fears allowed to return to school

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MILFORD >> A 7-year-old girl barred from school for three weeks because of Ebola fears will return to class Friday, three days and one school day earlier than planned, after an agreement was reached between her father and the school system.

On a notice to parents and guardians regarding the agreement, Feser wrote that she was “happy to report” the child is to return Friday.

“I hope that you and the entire Meadowside School community welcome this child back,”Feser wrote.

The girl had been told to stay home for 21 days, the incubation period for Ebola, after returning Oct. 13 from a trip to Nigeria for a family wedding. She originally was told she could return to school Monday.

Phelan said after filing the lawsuit that he was outraged because the school and city health department had caved to fear, rather than looking at more objective data.

Augie Harrigan, whose son has been in the same class with the girl for two years, said, “I’m happy and relieved to hear Ike (the girl’s nickname) will be back with her friends at Meadowside tomorrow and hope that as a community, we can approach future challenges with more intellect than impulse,” he said.

According to Thursday’s statement, the school system was given a Health Assessment Record dated October 24 from the pediatrician, showing the girl was “perfectly healthy,” according to the statement, and could take part in school activities without restriction.

The statement also says the student has had no contact with any Ebola patients and does not have Ebola. The statement also says the student “does not present any health risk to any individual.”

There were no details on the lawsuit itself, only two sentences: “The parties wish to announce that the lawsuit in this matter will be settled. Neither party will be making any further comments about the settlement.”